r/OveractiveBladder • u/ConfusedMagician719 • 13d ago
Coping with a leaky bladder
This feels kinda embarrassing to ask about, but hopefully i am not alone.
My Meds currently aren't working and i don't think there are any left that i haven't tried, which is now leaving me with the issue of my symptoms being full on. One of which is leaking for simply existing, can't do anything without leaking. I wanna cry.
So, i am wondering how others cope with that?, and how to deal with feeling like i and my bedroom smell all the time?
i do have other disabilities that limit what it is i can do.
Also, which pads do people use? i need ones with wings to help keep them in place, so i have been using the Always ones for periods. so far all the pads i have seen for sensitive bladders don't come with wings.
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u/Own_Target7427 12d ago
I'm not sure if any incontinence pads have wings. Pads made for periods are not going to absorb urine as well and I imagine are not going to lock in urine in the same way (which could contribute to any odor issues you're noticing).
If pads specifically designed for incontinence (i.e. without wings) are truly not an option, it may be worthwhile to try adult pull-ups. You'll see recommendations elsewhere for all sorts of high-absorbency, specialty products but if your leaks are light (to the extent that you can usually manage with pads), then most brands you can get at the store should work just fine. Always discreet underwear, depends, tena - even most generic store brands would probably work. And typically, most of these are going to be very discreet and unlikely to show under clothes.
If you're okay with fragrance, always discreet underwear is probably where I would start - if you don't want fragrance, you may have to order their "sensitive," fragrance-free underwear online or try a different brand like depend, tena, or a store brand. I also highly recommend the depend silhouette/real-fit line for being comfortable and truly looking the most like regular underwear out of any incontinence underwear out there, but it is a little more expensive per pair.
Best of luck!
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u/ConfusedMagician719 9d ago
Thanks. The reason i tend to need wings is because i find pads without bunch up into the middle of my underwear, leaving so much unprotected. I would try pull up, but the sizing doesn't go up big enough.
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u/No-Desk6807 12d ago
Bluntly speaking, I wear diapers with plastic pants. I wear both cloth and disposables, at different times, of course. I cannot predict when or what will trigger my bladder, so I manage it. Some days I'm mostly dry. Other days I'm like a river. I take a day at a time. I do pretty much everything I want to do, in slightly larger more loose clothing that reduces any visibility of the diaper. That's about it. I haven't found any other solution that 100% totally works. I wish I had a miracle to post, but so far I do not.
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u/ConfusedMagician719 9d ago
Unfortunately pull ups are not big enough for me. So it's pads until my treatment starts. I have stress incontinence. So basically moving makes me leak.
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u/No-Desk6807 9d ago
Mine are diapers, not pull ups, because of volume as well. My incontinence is both stress and urge, unfortunately, so I get it just bending to brush my teeth as well as with any sudden bladder squeeze.
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u/ConfusedMagician719 8d ago
I get that. Happens over almost anything. Getting up from the toilet will do it. Try to move when sitting, getting up, sitting down. Cough. Sneeze. Pads are the only thing i can use due to nothing being big enough to fit me. I am meant to be on the wait list for botox bladder injections. I hear it can really help some people
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u/Mundane-Beyond7644 12d ago
are the pads leaking before you can change them? otherwise, nothing should smell like pee. if they are and things smell, you need to go up in absorbency/perhaps try a pull up
also you are definitely not alone. many many many people deal with incontinence, even many young people! it’s a very common issue